Leadership potential

Grain Farmers of Ontario is committed to fostering a farmer-member community with engaged leaders who represent the future of the grain sector and the broader agricultural industry. This includes providing specialized opportunities for farmers to acquire the skills that will increase their confidence in their leadership abilities.

The American Soybean Association (ASA) Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program is one of these opportunities. It focuses on leadership and communication, agriculture trends and information, and the development of a strong and connected network. Participants meet and learn from other soybean growers and industry leaders.

The ASA has always championed the importance of spouses attending the program. Even if a spouse is employed off-farm or doesn’t have a role in primary production, they are still a valuable contributor to the success of a farm operation.

“The Young Leader program has had a tremendous impact on the soybean industry by helping identify, train, and prepare farmers who are interested in leadership and advocacy,” said Kentucky soybean grower and ASA president Caleb Ragland in a media release encouraging farmers to apply for the program. “Through top-notch training, the Young Leader program has elevated industry success by providing us with strong, informed and connected soy leaders. Numerous past graduates of the program can be found in leadership positions throughout the industry, including members of ASA’s Executive Committee. We are grateful to Corteva for continually supporting this program for more than 40 years.”

The Young Leader Program is held in two phases—the first will take place December 1-4, 2025, at Corteva’s Global Business Center in Johnston, Iowa; the second will take place February 24-27, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas, in conjunction with Commodity Classic.

As an affiliate member of the ASA, Grain Farmers of Ontario is typically able to send one farmer or farming couple to attend the Young Leader Program each year. However, for the 2025-26 program year, Grain Farmers of Ontario is pleased to be able to have two couples represent Ontario.

JAKE AND LINDSAY ELGERSMA

Jake and Lindsay Elgersma own and operate Gralex Agronomy Inc., a Pioneer seed dealership they established in Dunnville five years ago.

Jake was raised on a dairy farm but developed an interest in crops while attending the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, where he earned a diploma in agriculture. He is a certified crop advisor with a 4R Nutrient Management Specialist designation. As a field agronomist, he enjoys seeing how crops respond to various management practices. He grows a rotation of corn, soybeans, and wheat while helping other growers achieve the best yields from their own fields. Jake also works alongside Hessels Farm in Dunnville, where the focus is on implementing new varieties and traits, as well as new crop protection and fertilizer applications on about 200 acres of test plots.

Lindsay keeps the books for their business and helps when and where needed on the family farm during the busy seasons. She is also a stay-at-home parent to their four young children, Grant, Alexandria, Davian, and Sara.

“I’m looking forward to learning more about what innovations and resources are currently available to us and other farmers in Ontario,” says Lindsay. “I also enjoy networking with other young farmers, agronomists, and industry leaders.”

Several people within the Elgersmas’ current network gave Jake the encouragement to make their application to the Young Leader Program. He had heard good things about the program from Aaron McQueen, the Ontario representative for the 2019 class of Young Leaders, as well as local Corteva leadership.

“A big reason to take part in the program is the connections that you make within the industry—particularly those you make with people in the United States that you typically wouldn’t have the chance to meet,” says Jake. “I hope these relationships that I develop will help me with my business in the future and help me become a better leader.”

Jake has already taken on leadership roles within his community, acting as past-president for his local soil and crop association, coaching soccer, serving as a youth leader at his church, and speaking to 4-H clubs. He also shares his passion for the future of the agriculture industry with high school students and is excited about the potential for technological advancements, such as the use of drones and biologicals, to draw more young people to the sector.

During their time in Iowa, participants will discuss some of the challenges and major issues facing the soybean industry. Applicants were asked to outline what they see as some of the top concerns growers are facing. For Jake, his response focused on the need to find new markets as soybean production increases.

“There are a lot of beans in the U.S. that they are trying to find markets for too,” Jake notes, pointing to instabilities created by tariffs, the buying power of China, and the expansion of production in Brazil as factors affecting global prices and market share. “We need to find new market opportunities to increase the demand of soybean products locally.”

When it comes to the future of his own farm, Jake is focusing on soil health, managing new disease pressures, and increasing yields.

LUKE AND NAOMI HANNAM

Luke and Naomi Hannam are the fourth generation to operate Woodrill Farms, the family farm established in 1920 near Guelph. The newlyweds were married at the beginning of September.

Formerly a mixed livestock and crop farming operation, Luke’s father and grandfather slowly narrowed their focus to crops as they added a commercial grain elevator and crop input supply to diversify the business. Soybeans now make up half of their annual crop by acres, all of which are grown for seed production for Dekalb and SeCan.

Luke attended the University of Guelph and graduated in 2020 with a degree in crop science. His primary role is in the field, where he farms corn, wheat, and soybeans along with his dad.

“We are always trying to push the envelope and figure out how we can do a better job on each acre rather than focus on acre expansion,” says Luke.

Naomi attended Sheridan College to obtain a Bachelor of Applied Health Sciences degree and Algonquin College for an Applied Nuclear Science and Radiation Safety diploma. She primarily works off-farm as a radiation survey technician for a nuclear power plant, but has recently started to grow and market cut flowers from their home farm. Naomi also helps with farm work during busy times of year, running equipment and picking up parts.

“I see myself working more on the farm in the future,” says Naomi. She is interested in how the other participant couples structure their farms and work together. “I’m excited to be a part of this program and see what opportunities others are pursuing with their farm business that will hopefully help me see some different pathways for myself.”

The next evolution of Woodrill Farm is already underway, with Luke taking an interest in research trials and new technologies that allow for improved use of crop inputs, better soil management, and long-term economic stability.

“Soil is the number one finite resource that we as farmers have to use and it’s the one thing we know the least amount about that has the biggest influence on how much we are able to produce,” says Luke. “Adopting the use of soil mapping has allowed us to learn how each soil type responds to a given treatment and where opportunities exist to improve the soil itself, improve crop performance, and manage risk.” Luke has been seeking ways to enhance his involvement within his community and prepare for future leadership responsibilities. When a family member sent him the information about the Young Leader Program, it was exactly what he was looking for.

“It’s an opportunity for like-minded individuals to get together and bounce ideas off each other,” says Luke. “You get the opportunity to look at the same problems from different perspectives. I am looking forward to seeing what issues—similar or different—other growers are facing.”

He shares Jake’s concern about the soybean market and agrees that more work needs to be done to encourage domestic demand. “Through educating end users and consumers on the value and versatility of soybeans, there would be the opportunity to increase interest in soybeans as a food, fuel, or input for several domestic industries,” notes Luke. “Once the value is realized, the investment in infrastructure will follow, and eventually there will be a stable domestic market for soybeans.”

Luke is optimistic about their future, and he is ready to take advantage of business and leadership opportunities when the right ones come along.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

If you are interested in learning more about leadership development and how to be more engaged with Grain Farmers of Ontario, check www.gfo.ca for information on our member relations events and initiatives and your local District Grain Committee.

Read more about the 2024-25 ASA Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program participant, Tyler Robertson, a delegate from District 2 (Kent). •